Alternative Title

Sell-Side Benchmarks

Publication Type

Conference Paper

Version

acceptedVersion

Publication Date

6-2013

Abstract

Sell-side analysts employ different benchmarks when defining their stock recommendations. For example, a ‘buy’ for some brokers means the stock is expected to outperform its peers in the same sector (“industry benchmarkers”), while for other brokers it means the stock is expected to outperform the market (“market benchmarkers”), or just some absolute return (“total benchmarkers”). We use these benchmarks to analyze the role of stock picking, industry picking and market timing in contributing to the performance of stock recommendations. We are able to do so given that different benchmarks suggest the use of different sets of abilities. Analysis of the relation between analysts’ recommendations and their long-term growth and earnings forecasts suggests that analysts indeed abide by their benchmarks. We find strong evidence that the investment value of stock recommendations stems from analysts picking winners and losers within a particular industry (stock picking) regardless of the declared benchmark. We find no evidence of either industry picking or market timing even for analysts whose benchmarks suggest the existence of such skills. The research carries implications for the correct understanding and interpretation of sell-side research and its investment value.

Keywords

Analysts, Benchmarks, Stock Picking, Industry Picking, Market Timing

Discipline

Finance and Financial Management | Portfolio and Security Analysis

Research Areas

Finance

Publication

European Financial Management Association 2013 Annual Meeting, June 26-29, 2013

Comments

Also presented at AFA Meeting 2013

Additional URL

https://www.efmaefm.org/0EFMAMEETINGS/EFMA%20ANNUAL%20MEETINGS/2013-Reading/papers/EFMA2013_0145_fullpaper.pdf

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